This is Marguerite Engle. She is the new South Dakota record holder for the highest ever blood-alcohol level ever recorded in the State. Ms. Engle was found passed out behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle. She posted a blood alcohol level of .708 percent - nearly nine times South Dakota’s legal limit of .08 percent. The previous record was .56 percent. A blood alcohol level of .40 is considered a lethal dose for 50% of the population.

autobloggreen reports Fiat is in talks to buy Serbian carmaker Zastava as part of a plan to re-introduce the Topolino mini and build ir in Serbia. It will seat two and is expected to use the 900cc twin-cylinder Multiair powerplant with about 65 horsepower in naturally aspirated form. Rumors are that an electric version of the new Topolino is also likely.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has created distraction.gov, a new website with facts and figures that show how distracted driving affects the ability to drive safely. Just don't go their on your smartphone while driving. It is, well, distracting.

According to a Whatcar.com survey, only 37% of motorists polled would definitely confess to damaging a parked car, 18% would hit the accelerator and drive away quickly, with the remaining 45% in two minds – depending on how much damage they caused.

Reports are coming in that the range of the MINI-E's plummets in the cold winter weather of the Northeastern US. autoblog reports on one 55 mph round-trip commute that drained the batteries even with a 2 hour charge cycle half way through the trip.

A factory built 1967 Mini Marcos GT. It was designed by Marcos Cars (UK) in the mid-1960s as a special 2-seat sports car body and chassis for Austin or Morris Mini and Cooper S drivetrain and suspension components. The chassis is a two-seat fiberglass right-hand drive monocoque with Mini Mk1 subframes front and rear.

New & improved MILO® FUZE® is filled with the nutritious goodness that you need while you are on the go go go! With an even greater MILO® taste, MILO® FUZE® now has the additional goodness of ACTIGEN E® and PROTOMALT® which provides all the calcium and vitamins your body needs! Satisfy your hunger pangs in the most convenient way anywhere & anytime with these 5 tasty flavours.

Carsite.co.uk reminds us that it could take up to 25% longer to stop a fully laden vehicle. Please allow for reduced braking performance of a car stuffed with passengers, luggage, packages and/or presents on icy or wet road surfaces. So slow down and enjoy the Holiday Season.

According to UPI pranksters hacked, via telephone or by directly accessing the controls for the signs, two programmable traffic signs in Gainesville, Florida with hoax messages and reprogrammed them with the warning: "ZOMBIE ATTACK!! EVACUATE."

Montreal artists Claudia Ficca and Davide Luciano are known for their pothole artwork in Montreal and New York. They are in Los Angeles this month and their LA pothole artwork includes the pothole baptism, a BBQ, bubble bath, diver, dog wash, laundry, fishing hole, doughnut fryer, garden, duck blind, pedicure, pet cemetery, Santa Claus, scuba diver, spaghetti & meatballs and winemaking. You can check them all out in this LA Weekly slideshow.

BMW has recalled 205 2010 MINI Coopers and MINI Cooper S due to a sticker mix-up. Affected vehicles were equipped with 17-inch wheels, but their label states that they were equipped with 16-inch wheels and the tire pressure stated on the label for the Cooper S is incorrect. Incorrect tire information could affect the durability of the tires and the stability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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NORCAL MINIS is open to all and ownership of any MINI model car is encouraged but not required. Payment of annual dues of $25.00 is a prerequisite to membership. Membership begins on date dues are received by the club Treasurer and expire on December 31st of the same year. Payment can be made by cash, check or PayPal (preferred). Members must be at least 18 years of age with legal rights to sign any event disclaimers. One spouse or significant other, per paid membership is considered a member with all the rights and privileges of Club membership. An email and Facebook account is needed to stay in contact with our club.